Indiana Fever Overcome Shorthanded Phoenix Mercury for Second-Straight Victory

The Indiana Fever secured a hard-fought victory over the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, marking their second consecutive win against the Phoenix contingent. Despite facing a 23-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, the Fever showcased resilience and held off a late surge from the Mercury to come out on top.

…The key contributors for the Fever included Kelsey Mitchell, who led the team with an impressive 28 points, and Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, and NaLyssa Smith, who all recorded double-doubles in points and rebounds during the game.

This win represents a milestone for the Indiana Fever as they clinched their first season series victory over the Phoenix Mercury since 2016 when WNBA legend Tamika Catchings was still in action.

Diana Taurasi, Sug Sutton, Charisma Osborne, and Natasha Cloud were among the notable absences for the Mercury due to various reasons, leaving the team shorthanded for the matchup.

The Phoenix Mercury faced significant challenges during the game as Brittney Griner suffered an injury, further depleting their roster and forcing other players like Kahleah Copper and Rebecca Allen to shoulder more responsibilities.

Te’yJah Taylor, a former Ohio State standout, who joined the Mercury on short notice, played a crucial role in the game despite limited preparation time with her new team. Taylor’s defensive efforts against Caitlin Clark were particularly noteworthy given the circumstances.

On the Fever’s end, Caitlin Clark continued to dazzle with her playmaking skills, setting a franchise record for assists in a quarter and maintaining a remarkable streak of points-assists double-doubles throughout the month of July.

NaLyssa Smith‘s return to the starting lineup after a brief absence proved pivotal for the Fever, with the forward delivering a solid performance alongside her teammates Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and Caitlin Clark.